Portable lifting device



June 5, 1934. F. P. sTEvENsoN PORTABLE LIFTING DEVICE 2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed July 50. 1932 smv Ml LI MNM+ w w w 1K. NP

June 5, 1934- F. P. sTEvl-:NsoN

PORTABLE LIFTING DEVICE Filed July 30, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q @m QN hm lll Patented June 5, 1934 UNITED STATES `PATENT' QFFE This invention relates to a portable lifting device to be used for elevating patients fromhospital `cots and the like and has for its primary object to provide a device which can be engaged i in straddling position over the bed or cot in proximity to the patient for securing the patientV to the `lifting apparatus thereof, for elevating the patient from the cot.

Another object of the invention is inproviding the device with floor gripping means to be lowered inengagement with the iioor, for preventing accidental movement or travel of the device on the floor, during the lifting and sustaining of the patient in an elevating position.

' A `further object of the invention is in provding the device with means whereby it can be operated to a folded position for reducing the Width thereof for permitting travel of the device through narrow passageways. y

Other and further objects will appear in the specification and be specifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the Vaccompanying drawings, exemplifying the invention, and in which:- i

" Figure 1 is a side elevation of the hoisting device showing it disposed in straddling relationover a hospital cot.

` Flure 2 is an end elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1. i

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the device showing the supporting legs in folded position. Figure 4 is a transverse section taken approximately on the line IV-IV of Fig. 1.

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken approximately on the lineV-V of Fig. 1.

Figure 6 is an enlarged horizontal section taken approximately on the line VI-VI of Fig. 1.

This improved portable lifting device is of an arch shape structure and comprises opposing pairs of vertically extending end legs 1 and 2, each leg being supported on a swiveled rubber tired caster 3 and the upper end of each leg having an angularly bent horizontally extending portion 4 which are supported in a bridge structure 5.

The bridge structure 5 in this instance is comprised of a pair of spaced paralleling angle shaped members 6 which are secured by the tie plates 7 and disposed beneath each tie plate and in underengagement with the angle member 6 is a box 8, each having a pair of spaced bearings 9 and for cooperation with each box is a cap l0, each cap 10, its corelatable box 8 and tie plate 7, being f' 55 secured by respective clamping bolts 11, the angle members 6 being securely clamped by respective boxes 8 and tie plates 7.

The tie plates 7 and respective boxes 8 depended therefrom are in spaced positions as shown in Fig. 1 and the bearings 9 of said boxes being in alinement and are for the purpose of support- `ing the horizontal portions 4 of the respective `pairs of legs l and 2, in which the portions 4 of the pair of legs 1 are mounted in one end of the bridge structure 5 and the portions 4 of the other 65 pair of legs 2 are mounted in the other end of the bridge structure. Each horizontal portion of respective legs is provided with a collar 12 for abutment with the outer disposed boxes 8 and after the portions 4 are mounted in alined bear- `70 ings of respective boxes, they are heldin this position by respective set collars 1,3.

Centrally disposed on the bridge structure 5 and secured thereto is a cross plate 14 and vertically supported in said plate is a swivel pin 15 75 of a pulley block 16 which comprises a series of pulleys 17 and depended from said pulley block by the belted rope 18 of the pulley 17, is a pulley block 19 having a series of pulleys 20 with which the belted rope 18 is cooperable, and depended 80 from the pulley block 19 is a swivel hoop 21.

An end of the :ropeV 18 is secured at 22 to the bridge structure 5 and the other endV of said rope is secured to a windlass 23 which is secured vto a horizontally disposed shaftv 24, said shaft being secured in a bracket 25 which is carried by one of the legs 2 and mounted on the shaft 24 is a winding handle 26.

Paralleling each of the legs 1 and 2 and secured thereto is a guide rod 27 and pivoted at 28 to the lower end of each rod is a link 29 being connected at 3.6 to a gripping rod 31 having a rubber tip 32 at one end, the other end of said rod at 33 beingpivoted to a pair of gripping fingers 34:, each having slidable and gripping connection with the rod 27 by the aperture 35 in each nger 34.

The positions of the gripping rods 31 in Fig. 1 are shown as having the rubber tips 32 thereof in gripping relation with the floor A for preventing accidental movement or disturbance of the device and when it is desired to release'the rods 31 from gripping, the fingers 34 are engaged and squeezed towards each other, thereby re- 105 leasing the gripping edges of said ngers provided by respective apertures 35 from gripping the guide rod 27 thereby permitting the gripping rods 31 to be raised and held above the oor, the gripping fingers 34 when released holding the 1m rods 3l in elevating positions as shown in dotted lines at B in Fig. 1.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a pair of foldable tie rods 36 and 37 are employed for preventing the pairs of legs 1 and 2 from spreading, said rods being pivoted together at 38 and the outer extending end of each rod being pivoted at 39 to respective lugs 40 which are projected from respective legs. The rod 36 is provided with an overlapping portion 41 for engaging the rod 37 for preventing the rods from dropping below a horizontal plane.

The boxes 8 permit turning of the horizontal portions 4 of respective legs 1 and 2 and when the device is used for elevating, the pair of legs at their lower ends are spread apart (Fig. 2) and held in this position by the rods 36 and 37 and whereas when it is desired to move or travel the device through narrow passageways, such as a doorway, the rods 36 and 37 at their inner ends are swung upwardly on respective pivots 39 to allow folding of the pairs of legs as shown in Fig. 3, the lugs 42 on each rod 36 and 37 abutting in the folding of said rods for preventing the pairs of legs being moved too close to avoid tipping of the device as it is being travelled through the narrow passageway.

In the use of this improved device, the arch shape structure permits travelling the device over the cot C in which the pairs of legs l and 2 will be disposed on opposite sides of the cot, and the hook 21 of the pulley block 19 is then lowered to a position for engaging the harness or bracing D with which the patient to be elevated ihas been provided. After securing the harness on the hook 2l, the windlass 23 is turned by the handle 26 for winding the rope 18 on the windlass for elevating the patient above the mat.

tress of the cot for a required purpose and the patient may be sustained in the elevated position as shown in Fig. l by locking the windlass by means such as a pawl and ratchet (not shown).

In the use of this improved device, it is obvious that not only an essential device is provided, but in addition, more careful, less painful and efficient handling of the patient than heretofore can be given.

While one illustrative embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, it is not my intention to limit its scope to that particular embodiment or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

What I claim is:-

1. A portable lifting device comprising a bridge structure, a pair of supporting legs swingably connected to each end of said structure, the connecion of said legs with the structure comprising an integrally bent right-angular portion on the upper end of each leg, and boxing turnably securing the horizontal portions of the legs to the structure, and a lifting apparatus depended from said bridge structure.

2. A portable lifting device comprising a bridge structure, a pair of supporting legs turnably connected to each end of said structure, a lifting apparatus depended from said bridge structure, and foldable tie rods connected to each pair of legs, each having an abutting part for preventing complete folding of the rods.

3. A portable lifting device comprising a bridge structure, a pair of supporting legs horizontally connected to each end of said structure, floor gripping means slidably carried by the device, and a lifting apparatus depended from said bridge structure.

4. A portable lifting device having a bridge structure, a pair of supporting legs turnably connected to each end of said bridge structure, floor gripping means slidably carried by a pair of legs of the device inwardly thereof, and foldable tie rods connected to each pair of legs.

5. A portable lifting device comprising a bridge strucure, a pair of supporting legs each having an integrally bent portion longitudinally engaged in and turnably connected to each end of said structure, a lifting' apparatus depended from said bridge structure, and operating means for saidV lifting apparatus carried by one of said legs.

6. A portable lifting device comprising a bridge structure, a pair of supporting legs each having a horizontal portion longitudinally engaged in and turnably connected to each end of said bridge structure, and a lifting apparatus depended from said bridge structure.

7. A portable lifting device comprising a bridge sfructure, a pair of supporting legs each having a portion disposed longitudinally of the bridge structure and turnably connected to each end of said bridge structure, a caster supporting each leg, a lifting apparatus depended from said bridge structure, and operating means for said lifting apparaus carried by one of said legs.

S. A portable lifting device comprising a bridge structure, a pair of supporting legs at each end of the structure, each being bent on its upper end to form a horizontal portion which is turnably connected to the siructure, a caster supporting each leg, a lifting apparatus depended from said bridge structure, operating means for said lifting apparatus carried by one of said legs, and oor gripping means slidably and swingably carried by a pair of said legs which are diagonally disposed.

9. A portable lifting device comprising a bridge structure, a lifting apparatus supported by said struciure, legs for the support of said structure swingably connected thereto, and foldable tie" rods connecting pairs of said legs having abutting means for preventing complete folding of the tie rods.

FRANK P. STEVENSON. 

